ALL eyes might be on Russia for the World Cup, but closer to home, Lydford Foxes, Dartmoor’s newest football club, have already collected some silverware this summer.

In the last three weeks this grassroots football club has been awarded a number of awards. Its rapid growth to more than 60 players in the space of 18 months has been widely recognised.

Lydford Foxes have been acknowledged as an FA Charter Standard accredited football club with an official FA plaque and certificate.They were also winners of the Devon FA Charles Norsworthy Fair Play and Meritorious Award for 2017/18 for West Devon. This is a superb achievement for a club that has only just completed its first competitive season with three teams, U9s, U11s and U13s age groups. The club has received a certificate and £250.

The U13s team have been awarded the Fair Play award for the Scott division for the 2017/18 and all the team members were presented with trophies at the official Devon Junior and Minor League presentation evening at the Plymouth Pavilions. This was a great honour and achievement for the club.

The Lydford Foxes have also won the Dr Pepper Little League shield: a long standing award that is presented to one of the 350 teams within the DJML that has shown a particular high standard of commitment to local children.

Commenting on the Devon FA award, Mark Rowles, general decretary of the DJML, said: ‘The League was delighted that Lydford Foxes were recognised by Devon FA for their commitment towards providing young people of the village and the surrounding area with opportunities to play football in our League.

‘The club has the interest of all the players at heart regardless of ability and this ethos has been appreciated by all the teams within our league.’

The club is looking for players to join them – visit www.lydfordfoxes.com. Children from age five and over are welcome and competitive league football is currently offered to U9s, U11s, U12s and U14s.